Death is a natural part of life, and so is grieving for those who we inevitably lose when their bodies give out. Saying a forever goodbye to someone who has been with us for a long time and touched so many lives is especially difficult, and Maya was certainly one of these special individuals whose departure leaves a hollow in our hearts.
Like so many other animals at our shelters, Maya was young and utterly helpless when we rescued her from certain death. Gene Baur found the tiny black and white calf at a Pennsylvania stockyard in 1987. Unable to stand, she would have probably been left to die slowly and painfully. Determined not to let that happen, Gene whisked Maya out of her pen and took her to a veterinarian who treated her for a leg joint infection, and then to Farm Sanctuary where she recovered from her injuries and became one of our first animal ambassadors.
As a young dairy cow, Maya was taken away from her mother within a day of being born so the milk meant for her could be brought to market, and tragically never saw her mom again. But Maya's own maternal instinct was strong, and as she matured, being motherless didn't stop her from nurturing and loving numerous other rescued calves as though they were her own children. She was among the first downed cows Farm Sanctuary ever rescued, but certainly not the last, and her traumatic past helped her connect deeply with those who had endured the same terrors.
Even as they grew to adulthood, the cattle raised and mentored by Maya continued to respectfully revere their surrogate parent, always looking to her for guidance on being affable members of the herd. She set the same example of generosity for Farm Sanctuary staff, volunteers and visitors, for no one who saw Maya interact with her wards, young or grown-up, could doubt that she cared passionately about each and every one. As the New York Shelter's oldest cow, Maya embodied in so many ways the compassionate mission that has driven Farm Sanctuary's work since the beginning, and we learned a lot from her about how very important connections and rich relationships are to us all, no matter what our species happens to be.
As Maya aged, she began to slow down, especially in her last few months, and on the morning before New Year's Eve, she could not stand on her own when caretakers went to check on her. She was moved into her warm barn and covered with blankets, and though she did not appear to be in any pain, Maya refused to eat any grain or hay: all she wanted to do was rest. Caregivers kept watch over Maya throughout the night, until she passed peacefully away in her sleep after 22 happy years in our care.
We are emotionally bereft in the face of this enormous loss, but also comforted by more than two decades of fond memories that will sustain Maya's spirit forever at Farm Sanctuary, where we continue the work that she helped inspire. She lives on in every action we take to help animals like her, moving us ever onward to new heights of empathy and dedication.
Meet one of Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres' newest residents!
Found abandoned on the side of a road, this little lamb was rescued with a severely injured leg. This sweet girl has found safety, comfort and love at our shelter in Los Angeles. Read her story and learn how she is recovering. Read more.
Like so many other animals at our shelters, Maya was young and utterly helpless when we rescued her from certain death. Gene Baur found the tiny black and white calf at a Pennsylvania stockyard in 1987. Unable to stand, she would have probably been left to die slowly and painfully. Determined not to let that happen, Gene whisked Maya out of her pen and took her to a veterinarian who treated her for a leg joint infection, and then to Farm Sanctuary where she recovered from her injuries and became one of our first animal ambassadors. 
As a young dairy cow, Maya was taken away from her mother within a day of being born so the milk meant for her could be brought to market, and tragically never saw her mom again. But Maya's own maternal instinct was strong, and as she matured, being motherless didn't stop her from nurturing and loving numerous other rescued calves as though they were her own children. She was among the first downed cows Farm Sanctuary ever rescued, but certainly not the last, and her traumatic past helped her connect deeply with those who had endured the same terrors.
always looking to her for guidance on being affable members of the herd. She set the same example of generosity for Farm Sanctuary staff, volunteers and visitors, for no one who saw Maya interact with her wards, young or grown-up, could doubt that she cared passionately about each and every one. As the New York Shelter's oldest cow, Maya embodied in so many ways the compassionate mission that has driven Farm Sanctuary's work since the beginning, and we learned a lot from her about how very important connections and rich relationships are to us all, no matter what our species happens to be. 
We are emotionally bereft in the face of this enormous loss, but also comforted by more than two decades of fond memories that will sustain Maya's spirit forever at Farm Sanctuary, where we continue the work that she helped inspire. She lives on in every action we take to help animals like her, moving us ever onward to new heights of empathy and dedication. 
